* Sanskrit is a highly flexible language: It uses a system of prefixes, suffixes, and compound words that allows for an almost infinite number of combinations.
* Extensive literary corpus: Sanskrit has a vast literary tradition spanning thousands of years, with numerous texts, each containing countless unique words and variations.
* Continuing evolution: Even today, Sanskrit is used and studied, with new words and phrases being coined based on the language's inherent structure.
Instead of a fixed number, consider these factors:
* Roots: Sanskrit is estimated to have around 1,500-2,000 root words. These are the basic units from which new words are built.
* Derivations: Through compounding, prefixes, suffixes, and other grammatical processes, the number of possible words derived from these roots is enormous.
* Historical context: The number of words used in specific periods of Sanskrit literature might be more easily quantifiable, but it wouldn't represent the full potential of the language.
So, rather than focusing on a definitive count, understand that Sanskrit's vocabulary is vast and its potential for creating new words is practically unlimited.